New partnership trains next gen of Vietnam pilots

New partnership trains next gen of Vietnam pilots

The new partnership between RMIT University and VinAcademy of Education and Training saw its first cohort of students commence last month.

While the students were due to arrive in Australia to begin their training this semester, RMIT University quickly adapted to the current border closure situation to deliver the first semester online in Vietnam.

Under the new two-year partnership, students are enrolled from Vietnam into RMIT’s Associate Degree in Aviation (Professional Pilots) in Australia, providing the country’s airline industry with a pool of work-ready pilots to support the future demand for air travel.

The first cohort of cadets attended orientation at RMIT’s Saigon South campus where they will study the first semester of their Australian-based course online. The first cohort of cadets attended orientation at RMIT’s Saigon South campus where they will study the first semester of their Australian-based course online.

RMIT Vietnam Chairman Professor Peter Coloe said this partnership is one example of how the University is working with global partners in flexible ways to continue delivering quality education throughout the disruption.

“We’re working with our partners to adapt to the current situation to ensure students aren’t at a disadvantage because of it,” said Professor Coloe.

“We found ourselves in an interesting situation, with international and even state borders closed in Australia, stopping the cadets from travelling to commence the course. Yet in Vietnam, our campuses are all open and fully functioning.

“Working together with our partner, we were able to leverage our terrific RMIT campus in Ho Chi Minh City to provide a supportive environment for the students while they study online with access to our flight simulator for the practical applications.”

Even though the coursework is online, a local instructor who was previously a pilot instructor for Vietnam Airlines, has been engaged to supplement with industry knowledge, support and mentorship to the cadets.

“The collaboration from across RMIT – taking an Australian-based course and delivering it online while utilising our offshore campuses, flight simulator and expertise of a local instructor in Vietnam – truly highlights our agility as a global partner,” said Professor Coloe.

RMIT Flight Training is a corporate partner with the Australian Chapter of not-for-profit organisation Women in Aviation International. RMIT Flight Training is a corporate partner with the Australian Chapter of not-for-profit organisation Women in Aviation International.

RMIT Head of School of Science & Technology Professor Julia Gaimster added that “it has been great to be able to welcome the first cohort of 12 cadets to our own campus to begin their training for the Australian-based degree.”

“In Vietnam air travel is increasing, so it’s important we provide the aviation sector with work-ready, high-standard pilots to help meet the predicted demand,” said Professor Gaimster.

Story: Elle Spring

03 August 2020

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